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Propionibacterium skull osteomyelitis treated with daptomycin

Mayurika Ghosh1, Rohit Talwani, Bruce L Gilliam

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. mghosh@medicine.umaryland.edu

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|May 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is increasingly found in postneurosurgical infections. This case highlights successful treatment of a P. acnes cranial bone flap infection using daptomycin.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurosurgery
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is recognized as an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Postneurosurgical infections pose significant clinical challenges.
  • The role of P. acnes in neurosurgical site infections is an evolving area of study.

Observation:

  • A patient developed a cranial bone flap infection.
  • The infection was confirmed to be caused by Propionibacterium acnes.
  • Standard treatments may have limitations for P. acnes infections.

Findings:

  • The cranial bone flap infection caused by P. acnes was successfully treated with daptomycin.
  • Daptomycin demonstrated efficacy in this specific case.
  • Clinical resolution was achieved without reported complications.

Implications:

  • Daptomycin presents a viable therapeutic option for treating P. acnes postneurosurgical infections.
  • This case broadens the understanding of antibiotic choices for challenging infections.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm daptomycin's role in P. acnes infections.

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